She Sells Seashells

So, you know that I have a love affair with the beach. Myrtle Beach, in particular, but anywhere there’s sand and ocean will do. And like any good beach lover, I can’t help but look for interesting seashells each time I visit. Now I have another little pair of eyes and hands who enjoys doing the same thing, so it only stands to reason that we have multiple ziploc baggies containing really cool shells we don’t know what to do with laying around collecting dust in the craft room. Sooo…I’ve been on the lookout for {cheap} projects I can do to put some of thesm to good use. Here are a few I’ve whipped up for around the house:

BEACHY BATHROOM DECOR

This was super easy and super thrifty too; I just got a glass vase from Michaels {$3.99} and filled it with my favorite shells. I started with large ones on the bottom and filled in the center with big broken pieces that wouldn’t get seen anyway. Then, I went around the edges, placing the shells where I wanted them. The basket was around $5 at Target, the starfish and burlap were a gift from my {wonderful, sweet, talented} friend Sabine, and my mom gave me the sand dollar because it was collecting dust at her house.

Total cost of shell vase: $3.99

Total cost of entire thing: about $9

Here’s a broader view of how it looks in the powder room. Hello!

I also did a similar version as a centerpiece for the dining room table a few months ago, just in a larger vase, and added a candle in the center. Easy peasy.

BEACH IN A JAR

You may remember from my “Life’s a Beach” series that I fell in love with this idea from my crafty bloggy buddy Carmella over at Creative Carmella.

Before I show you mine, you have to hear my story.

I really wanted to make my own, but I forgot to bring sand back from the beach. Boo.

So, on Monday I was at a playgroup with Little Crafter and the hostess,Erin {who is quite the artsy mama herself}, called me into the bathroom saying, “You inspired me!”

I was a bit curious…I, um, inspired you in the bathroom?? But what she meant was that she’d made a beach in a jar and had used it in there for decor. It was super duper cute, but I didn’t take a picture for you for two excellent reasons:

A. I forgot to take my camera to playgroup {fail, because the kids are really cute}

B. I thought it would just be too high on the weirdo-stalker-meter to start snapping pics in someone else’s bathroom…

Anyway, I pouted a little to her about wanting to make my own but not having sand, and you know what she did? Handed me a huge bag full of it. Her mom had brought a bunch back for her from Ocean City so she could do the project and it was way more than she needed. Woo, free sand! Thanks Erin, Thanks Mrs. Ginny! This called for a trip to Michaels for another $3.99 vase. I printed a photo, added sand and shells, and

ta-da!!

Total cost: $3.99 {well, unless you count a piece of photo paper and the ink to print it…but still, cheap!}

Now I just have to find a spot to display it where Little Crafter and his slightly more rambunctious friends won’t knock it over. Don’t want to have to vaccum that up…

SOUVENIR ORNAMENT

I came across this awesome idea for a beachy ornament at How to Nest for Less﻿ and instantly knew we had to make one. Little Crafter helped me with all but the ribbon tying and hot glueing.

Here’s what you need:

STEP 3: Hot glue the ornament top back on! The sand is heavy and otherwise, you’ll undoubtedly have a mess under your tree!

I’m loving it.

Total cost: about $1.

The shells and sand will shift around in there {especially if when a 3 year old violently shakes it for fun, but the shells will naturally return to the top…whew}.

I am so excited to finally have some good, practical uses for these great shells! Hope you’re inspired too.

Comments

Oh my gosh! I am so SO glad you shared this I am going to have to pin this and show it to my sister….!!! She is getting married on the beach this winter and I think she is going to love the idea of grabbing some sand and shells to make an ornament like you did! I just know she is going to love that idea! I LOVE link parties! I get so darn inspired I learn so much and I have “direction” because I am not always great at keeping up with each post sooo when you link up certain ones I get to “catch up” Thank you so much for linking!!!

i LOVE this! What a great idea! I would love it if you would share this and/or any other projects you have been up to at Tuesday Talent Show at Chef In Training Tomorrow! Thanks so much and I hope to see you there!-Nikkihttp://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

Just wanted to let you know I will be featuring this at the next link party. Thank you for sharing. I’m a total beach fanatic. I love the beach in a jar and the ornament. Come grab a featured button if you want one. Hope to see you this weekend!

I need to go to the beach and get some shells!! I love the beach theme in your bathroom- it is so cute! And the picture in the vase is such a cute idea!! 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We would love to have you come back this weekend and link up more of your great posts!Camille @SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

Your beach decorating ideas are the best! I really love that ornament! Thanks so much for linking it up to the Tuesday To Do Party! Can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to this week!Smiles!Jamihttp://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

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